write. eat. repeat.

Smiles Are Free

I know I said I’d post a query critique each Wednesday, but this week I’m bumping it out to Friday (sorry!) to share some news with you. One of my dear friends (and the person I often refer to as “Critique Goddess”) is launching a new website for writers, and I cannot say enough about how awesome her editing skills are. I rarely endorse things here, but if any of my writing pals are looking for a trustworthy editor with a proven track record, then Taryn (in my humble opinion) is the best.

Here are just a few of the things she’s doing: Taryn’s interning with an awesome agency, agented, a personal assistant to the lovely Genn Albin (debut author of CREWEL) and she’s also a college student. What. A. Slacker. 😉

I send her each of my manuscripts and am always blown away by the notes I get back. Seriously, Taryn knows her stuff. Okay, enough gushing!

Without further adieu, here’s a little bit about Taryn–aka Critique Goddess–in her own words.

Here’s my mission statement:

My mission is to guide writers through the daunting task of revision. From idea development to editorial feedback to general publishing advice, I love working with stories and those who create them. As a nationally ranked swimer, I know the value of time, so I believe in quick responses from the first email to the last.

I am not just another freelance editor. Beyond providing an experienced and thorough critique, my secondary goal is to establish a relationship with my clients. I want to support you throughout the stressful submission process and celebrate with you upon any and all good news. Writers may put pen to paper alone, but it is through a community that the book gets finished, polished, and submitted.

Why The Girl with the Green Pen? Why green?

Most edits are made with a red pen. If someone critiques your manuscript, s/he will most likely cover it with red ink, right? Not so much here. I make all my notes in green because I like to reflect the idea of moving forward. Green means go, it means new life. These are ways to think of your revisions, and this is how I like to think of the editing process.

But why are you leaving Teen Eyes?

I founded Teen Eyes in August 2011 to critique your YA manuscript from the perspective of a YA. Since then, I’ve expanded my interest in editing. Plus I’ll be 20 soon, so the “teen” part won’t work much longer. I still love Teen Eyes, but I wanted to do something bigger.

First of all, hi blog friends. *waves* It’s September, my how the summer FLEW by. I’m still in the writing cave, but something came to my attention last night that had my little hackles all raised and scary-like. And when I get mad, it’s NOT a pretty sight. There’s red-hot fury, then there’s stringy drool and panting and A LOT of obscene gestures as I transform into the HULK. Here’s why. Someone came across my blog by searching:

“Friends hate me writing my book.”

Let me clarify, that the search term and subsequent finding of MY blog didn’t make me bare my teeth and go all crazy-eyed. No friends, it’s the sadness of knowing there are people out there who would actively shoot down their friends dreams. Writing a book is hard. Sharing your words, your art, your freaking bloody little heart on your sleeve for everyone to pee on, is soul sucking scary hard.

Having people in your corner is so important when all those little doubt devils rear their ugly heads. If you’re the person that’s been beaten down, I want you to take a deep breath, because I’m about to tell you something important.

You are amazing.

Don’t you ever forget that. Having a dream, then having the strength to put the time (and effort) into writing and rewriting your book until you bleed vowels and eat consonants is no easy task. If your friends go as far as HATING the very thing you’re passionate about, well, I can only say that they’re truly not worth giving up what sparks your soul for.

Hold your head high, put those blinders on, because if you ask me (which, I’m aware that no one did) those friends are sounding mighty jealous that you’ve found something you love doing. Write your book. Do your thing. And know, that one day after you’ve edited the heck out of that manuscript, I’ll be waiting in line to get my grubby little paws on it. To hell with anyone who tries to crush your dreams.